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General Convention Report
The Episcopal News, Diocese of Los Angeles
Reporting from Salt Lake City, Utah
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Video interview with the presiding bishop-elect
In an 18-minute interview with the Episcopal News Service, Presiding Bishop-elect Michael Curry speaks about his priorities for leadership and administration, the role of the church in engaging God's mission in the world, the state of race relations in the U.S., the importance of Anglican Communion partnerships, and his commitment to what he calls the Jesus Movement, to go out into the world "to bear witness to the good news of Jesus."
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Presiding Bishop elect Michael Curry, current Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and past Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold receive the applause and appreciation of a joint session of the House of Deputies and House of Bishops.
A joint session: Marks of Mission and PBs
A June 30 joint session of the House of Deputies and House of Bishops honored outgoing Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori through a video presentation in which various church leaders, including House of Deputies President Gay Jennings, Bishop Jon Bruno, Presiding Bishop-elect Michael Curry praised Jefferts Schori for her wisdom, faith, and leadership -- followed by a standing ovation, cheers and extended applause for Jefferts Schori, who was visibly moved by the tribute.
The session also got a surprise visit from previous Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, who addressed the gathering about the ministry of the presiding bishop. Michael Curry joined Jefferts Schori and Griswold on the stage, and hundreds of cameras and cell phones came out as deputies and bishops recorded the moment.
General Convention is now in its middle phase, which means the deputies and bishops are working hard, with fewer visitors, distractions and events around them. Even the Exhibit Hall will close at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1. In their joint session, deputies and bishops held an extended discussion on the Five Marks of Mission, which were developed by the Anglican Consultative Council and have served as a guide for ministry throughout the world. The Five Marks are:
- To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
- To teach, baptize and nurture new believers
- To respond to human need by loving service
- To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation
- To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.
President Jennings asked alternate deputies and ECW Triennial delegates to join deputies and bishops on the floor to discuss questions related to the five marks. The questions were geared to the individual marks, but generally asked how the church, through its congregations, might carry out the marks of mission, and how ministries can be made more effective. More about the session is here. Another joint session, at which deputies and bishops will discuss the proposed budget for 2016 - 2018, will be held on July 1. Much of the work of the two houses is in debating and sometimes amending resolutions on a wide variety of subjects, including same-gender marriage, stewardship of the earth, alcoholism and recovery, Israel-Palestine questions, church structure and more. Each resolution is studied, debated and refined in one of 20 legislative committees, which hold hearings throughout convention, usually in the early morning hours. Each resolution is then assigned either to the House of Deputies or the House of Bishops. The resolution is discussed, sometimes amended, and either passed or defeated by majority vote. If a resolution is passed, it goes to the other house, which must pass the resolution with exactly the same wording before it becomes church policy. For information about particular resolutions, or those on a specific subject, click here. Episcopal News Service issues regular reports on the progress of various legislation: click here, or see below.
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People at General Convention
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Los Angeles lay leader elected to Executive Council
Steven Nishibayashi, pictured at right above at General Convention with L.A. deputation chair Jim White, has been elected by the House of Deputies to the Executive Committee of the Episcopal Church. The House of Bishops must confirm the election of Nishibayashi and four other new council members, and is expected to do so in an upcoming session. In the intervals between meetings of General Convention, the executive council its substitute, much as Diocesan Council governs a diocese between meetings of Diocesan Convention. Nishibayashi, a pediatrician, is a member of St. Mary's Church (Mariposa), Los Angeles; a longtime lay leader in the Diocese of Los Angeles, a former trustee of Church Divinity School of the Pacific, Berkeley (CDSP); a trustee of Bloy House, the Episcopal Theological School at Claremont; and a rabid Dodgers fan. His daughter, Kathryn Nishibayashi, is a deputy to General Convention from the Diocese of Los Angeles.
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Today at General Convention
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On the schedule for Wednesday, July 1:
- Legislative committee hearings
- Community Eucharist. Bishop Scott Hayashi of Utah, celebrant. The Rev. Becca Stevens, founder of Magdalene and Thistle Farms, preacher
- Legislative Sessions
- Joint Legislative Session on Program, Budget & Finance
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Reports from Episcopal News Service
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The Five Marks of Mission - and how to put them to work at home - were the topic of discussion for deputies and bishops at a morning joint session in the House of Deputies on June 30.
Integrity celebrates 40 years with festive EucharistIn a colorful and festive Eucharist, members of the Episcopal LGBT community and its supporters celebrated the pioneers and victories of the past 40 years while looking ahead to the work yet to be tackled.
Fossil fuels, climate advisory committee resolutions move to House of Deputies The House of Bishops passed two resolutions June 28 and June 29 aimed at environmentally responsible investing and creating a climate change advisory committee. The resolutions now move to the House of Deputies for approval.
The House of Deputies on June 29 approved in an overwhelming voice vote Resolution D044, which "strongly urges all persons, along with public, governmental, and religious institutions, to discontinue the display of the Confederate battle flag." Lillibridges, Bergstrom honored as Heroes of CampingThe Rt. Rev. Brian Prior, bishop of Minnesota, June 28 presented the Episcopal Camps and Conference Centers' Hero of Camping Ministry Award to the Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge, bishop of West Texas, and his wife, Catherine Lillibridge.
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The Report will be emailed each day from the 78th meeting of General Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah, June 25 - July 3.
Photos, except as noted, by Janet Kawamoto.
To subscribe to the Update list, click on the link below, or send a request to news@ladiocese.org
Janet Kawamoto, editor
The Rev. Pat McCaughan, correspondent
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